College football 2012 preview: Alcorn State University

Aug. 25, 2012

Alcorn State running back Arnold Walker / File/The Clarion-Ledger

Alcorn State head coach Jay Hopson / File/Special to The Clarion-Ledger

More

ADVERTISEMENT

Coach Jay Hopson (First season at Alcorn, first season as a head coach)

What happened last year?

Last season was one to forget for Alcorn State fans. The Braves struggled to a 2-8 finish. Despite the ugly record, three of the Braves' first four losses came by just seven points and the fourth was an eight-point setback at the hands of Alabama State. The Braves managed to keep some games close despite the fact Alcorn's defense was among the worst statistically in the SWAC, but it wasn't enough to keep coach Melvin Spears from behing fired after just one season.

The Buzz

While much - if not all - of the preseason discussion involving the Braves in 2012 has centered on Hopson becoming the first white head football coach in SWAC history, Hopson is more inclined to talk about how he plans to put his stamp on the program. Alcorn State was picked to finish next to last in the Eastern Division, ahead of only Mississippi Valley State. Alcorn returns 11 starters from a year ago, many of whom received playing time as underclassmen. Hopson is hoping that trial-by-fire experience can begin to pay off this season, where his hiring has brought a new energy to the program.This will be a rebuilding job for Hopson and his staff, there's no question, but just how long that will take is unknown.

2012 schedule

Sept.1, 6 p.m. at Grambling State

Sept. 8, 7 p.m. at James Madison

Sept. 15, 2 p.m. vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Sept. 22, 6 p.m. vs. Arkansas State

Sept. 29, 2 p.m. vs. Alabama State

Oct. 6, 2 p.m. vs. Southern University

Oct. 13, 1 p.m. at Alabama A&M

Oct. 20, 1 p.m. at Prairie View A&M

Nov. 3, 1 p.m. at Mississippi Valley State

Nov. 17, 1 p.m. vs. Jackson State

Don't miss

Nov. 17 vs. Jackson State: So long Capital City Classic, hello again Soul Bowl. Alcorn State shook up the long-running Jackson tradition earlier this summer when it opted to exercise its status as the home team for this year's game and return the annual grudge match with Jackson State to the Braves' Lorman campus. First-year coach Jay Hopson has said having the game back in Lorman is a point of pride for Braves players. With the game back in Lorman for the first time in nearly two decades, Spinks Stadium will be rocking.

(Page 2 of 3)

3 questions with coach Hopson

What goals have you set for Year 1?

I've been kind of funny about that. My whole deal with this football team, I want to develop a football team and a football program that competes. I'm not one of those goal guys. I think too many guys come up with too many goals. I think football comes down to playing the game with passion and desire and having a competitive spirit. That's what I'm trying to dig out of this football team, (one) that will fight you for 60 minutes.

What are the keys to getting this program competitive?

Offensively, when you look at everything, it always starts with quarterbacks and we have to have consistency up front (at offensive line). Those are always two issues you look at offensively. I think defensively our biggest thing there is to just be a really good, fundamentally sound tackling team that pursues the ball. I think those are things that you continue to work at to be better at every day.

How have players responded to having the Jackson State game on campus?

I think they were all excited. It's something that they deserve and something we deserve to have those games against our rivals on our campus. I think not only our players, but I think the alumni, the students and I think all Alcornites are excited to get the Soul Bowl back and get the game back on our campus.

On offense, he's the man ...

Terrance Lewis, WR, Sr.

Lewis, a 5-foot-11 senior out of Fort Myers, Fla., returns as the Braves' leading receiver a year ago, where he finished with 489 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. His 17.5 yards per catch average was second-highest on the team.

Not overly big - or fast - Lewis has had to rely on technique and footwork to get past bigger, faster defensive backs. Coach Jay Hopson said Lewis has been one of the team's hardest workers this preseason.

"He's got a lot of quickness," Hopson said. "I saw watching film that he had some speed and a lot of quickness. He made some really good plays in pace (last season). That's something we have to have."

(Page 3 of 3)

Lewis has also played a hand in the Braves' special teams units, returning one punt for a touchdown while averaging 13 yards per return.

On defense, he's the man ...

Jacques Caldwell, DB, So.

Caldwell finished 2011 with 26 tackles and one interception but has "shown flashes" of being capable of bigger things this season, according to Hopson.

Under Hopson, Caldwell and the rest of the Braves cornerbacks will be asked to play as much man coverage as they will zone, meaning they will be just as active in pass defense as they are stopping the run.

Alcorn went just 2-8 a year ago thanks in large part to a defense that offered not much more than a speed bump for opposing offenses on their way to the end zone. The Braves ranked ninth in the SWAC in pass defense (209.7 yards per game) and dead last in total defense (381).